Artist Narrative

A German noble who joined the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) at age 13, Henry was a loyal student of Meister Eckhardt. Eckhardt’s impact on him was powerful, influencing his life-long pursuit of Holy Wisdom (Sophia): ‘goddess of all beauty.’ A mystic that practiced extreme asceticism, Henry wore a tight-fitting undergarment as a nightshirt. This shirt was outfitted with 150 brass nails fitted facing into his skin. He was also inspired to carve Christ’s name into his chest. After 16 years, an angel appeared to him, asking that he end these severe practices. He listened.